Vice Admiral John Charles O'Brien OC, CD (16 December 1918 – 24 March 1996) was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 19 July 1966 to 6 July 1970.
John O'Brien | |
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| Born | 16 December 1918 Hove, Sussex |
| Died | 24 March 1996 Ottawa, Ontario |
| Allegiance |  Canada |
| Service/ |  Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Forces |
| Years of service | 1935–1973 |
| Rank |  Vice-Admiral |
| Commands held | HMCS Bonaventure Maritime Command NATO Defense College |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of Canada Canadian Forces' Decoration |
Career edit
O'Brien joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1935.[1] He was in action off Norway in 1939, commanded a small boat at the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940, served as a Signals Officer for the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 during the Second World War.[1] He became Director Naval Training in 1955, Director Naval Communications in 1957 and Commanding Officer of the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure in 1959.[1] He went on to be Naval Member of the Canadian Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. in 1961, Senior Canadian Officer Afloat (Atlantic) in 1964 and Commander Maritime Command in 1966.[1] His last appointment was as Commandant of the NATO Defense College in Rome in 1970 before retiring in 1973.[1]
O'Brien married Stephanie Frances Swire; she died on 2 October 2006.[2]
Awards and decorations edit
Obrien's personal awards and decorations include the following:
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
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Order of Canada (OC) |
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1939–1945 Star |
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Atlantic Star |
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Africa Star |
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Italy Star |
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Defence Medal (United Kingdom) |
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Canadian Volunteer Service Medal |
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War Medal 1939–1945 |
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Special Service Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal |
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Canadian Centennial Medal |
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Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal |
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125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal |
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Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) |
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Order of Merit of the Italian Republic |
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References edit
- ^ a b c d e O'Brien, John Charles The Nauticapedia
- ^ Obituary: Stephanie Frances O'Brien The Telegraph, October 2006
- ^ "The Governor General of Canada List". Gouvernment of Canada.